Exodus 40 – A Look Forward, A Look Back
We spent 47 weeks in the book of Exodus. I thought it would be appropriate to take this last Cutting Room Floor (for Exodus – I plan to continue in John as well, which will be our next study on Sunday mornings) and look forward to how the story continues in the Old Testament and also reflect back on the Big Ideas of the book.
A Look Forward
The last Hebrew word in Exodus is translated in the ESV: “throughout all their journeys.” The book ends with the glory of Yahweh filling the Tabernacle and the narrator telling the readers that every time the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the Israelites would follow it, and every time it settled, the Israelites would remain where they were, “throughout all their journeys.”
This final word points readers forward to the “journeys” to come. It is not the end of a story, but rather a momentous beginning. Now that the holy God has come to dwell among the Israelites, how will their constant penchant for rebellion match up against the holiness of God?
The book of Leviticus begins to answer this question. Warren Wiersbe, in his popular “Be” series of commentaries, rightly titles the commentary on Leviticus, “Be Holy.” For that is what the book is about: the holiness of God and His people. The Israelites are called to be holy, for He is holy (Lev 11:44, 19:2). That holiness is evident through the sacrifices that the Israelites must make (Lev 1-7), the consecration of the priesthood (Lev 8-10), the clean/unclean laws given for ritual purity (Lev 11-15), and the holiness code of conduct that follows these ritual laws (Lev 16-27). The entire book is a continuation of the story of Exodus, and it is no surprise that the only two narratives in the book are examples of what happens when the people fail to be holy (Lev 10; 24:10-16).
Numbers more specifically focuses on that “journey” of the Israelites in the wilderness. It chronicles the failures of the first and second generation of Israelites during the years they wander in the wilderness. Their failure to trust God keeps the first generation from experiencing the Promised Land. Unfortunately, the second generation is just like the first.
Deuteronomy takes place at the very end of these 40 years of wandering. Moses gives his final sermons to the people, reminding the second generation of God’s faithfulness, their covenant commitment, and the failures of their forefathers. The book ends with the death of Moses and the Israelites still standing opposite the Promised Land, eagerly anticipating what is to come. The book of Joshua then opens with the titular character leading the people into the Land.
Exodus points forward to the rest of that story. But even more so, as we saw in today’s sermon, it points beyond these first few books to a day when the presence of God would come to this earth in human flesh (John 1:14), then later come again permanently to dwell among us (Rev 21:3). For now, we stand as mini-temples/tabernacles (1 Cor 3:16, 6:19), with the presence of God indwelling us. What a privilege!
A Look Back
Each week in Exodus, I tried to summarize the point of the sermon/text with a single sentence. I strived to state each “Big Idea” in 10 words or less (I only broke this “rule” once!). I thought it might be fun to look back and see the Big Ideas all together in one place, representing each text and sermon. Perhaps this will help jog your memory of some of the lessons learned along the way.
Big Idea for Exodus: Serve Yahweh, Creator and Redeemer, who dwells among us.
Exodus 1:1-7 – Worship God, fulfiller of His covenantal and creational promises.
Exodus 1:8-22 – Obey God’s moral law, even at risk of personal cost.
Exodus 2:1-10 – God can providentially work through anyone for redemptive purposes.
Exodus 2:11-25 – Imitate God’s perfect justice.
Exodus 3:1-15 – Serve Jesus, who dwells among us!
Exodus 3:16-4:17 – Where God calls, He equips, for His glory.
Exodus 4:18-31 – Respond to God’s love by prioritizing properly.
Exodus 5 – Serving God doesn’t always lead to immediate comfort.
Exodus 6 – Where God has called, God will equip.
Exodus 7:1-13 – God’s sovereignty isn’t always comfortable or comprehensible, but it is always trustworthy and good.
Exodus 7:14-8:19 – Our God is like no other.
Exodus 8:20-9:12 – Unrepentance leads to misery; Christ leads to joy!
Exodus 9:13-10:20 – Godly grief produces repentance, leading to salvation without regret.
Exodus 10:21-11:10 – Life without God is eternal darkness and wrath.
Exodus 12:1-28 – Jesus is our Passover Lamb!
Exodus 12:29-42 – God offers redemption and justice to all.
Exodus 12:43-13:16 – Eternal redemption from death is ours in Jesus Christ.
Exodus 13:17-14:31 – God’s salvation evokes appropriate fear and belief.
Exodus 15:1-21 – The character and acts of God should stimulate our worship.
Exodus 15:22-17:7 – Remember: God delights to graciously provide for His people.
Exodus 17:8-16 – Spiritual victory comes only through God’s power.
Exodus 18 – Ministry success comes from appropriate delegation to godly, gifted individuals.
Exodus 19 – The fearful awesomeness of God demands prepared holiness.
Exodus 20:1-7 – Love God by fully committing to Him.
Exodus 20:8-11 – Imitate Jesus. Keep the Sabbath (it’s for your own good!).
Exodus 20:12-17 – Love others by treating them with the respect they deserve.
Exodus 20:18-26 – Worship God with a sharp awareness of your sin.
Exodus 21:1-11 – The Gospel shines light in the darkest areas of life.
Exodus 21:12-32 – The covenant community has a responsibility to value life.
Exodus 21:33-22:15 – Love your neighbor by taking personal responsibility to restore relationships.
Exodus 22:16-23:9 – Worship God by treating others humanely.
Exodus 23:10-33 – Celebrate God’s provisions and promises.
Exodus 24 – The New Covenant supersedes the Old through Jesus’ blood.
Exodus 25 – God dwells among us; worship Him and make Him known!
Exodus 26 – Reflect the glory of God’s presence in your earthly temple.
Exodus 27 – Worship God in the way He commands.
Exodus 28 – Represent God through your actions. Represent people through your prayers.
Exodus 29 – Prepare yourself in holiness for the coming of Christ.
Exodus 30 – Perfume yourself with prayer – pure and holy.
Exodus 31 – Recognize God’s gift of holy space and holy time.
Exodus 32 – Jesus is a better Moses.
Exodus 33 – Fully embrace the privilege of God’s personal and corporate presence.
Exodus 34 – Pursuing holiness leads to missional opportunities.
Exodus 35:1-36:7 – Give generously, skillfully, corporately, voluntarily and abundantly.
Exodus 36:8-37:29 – The fulfillment of God’s promise evidences His grace.
Exodus 38-39 – Obedience is necessary to enjoy the blessings of God.
Exodus 40 – Look forward to the God who dwells among us!
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